Understanding the Conus Medullaris: The Tapered Region of the Spinal Cord in the Lumbar Region

The conus medullarisanchors the spinal cord to the coccyx.is a tapered, cone like region immediately inferior to the lumbar enlargement.marks the exit of nerves to the upper extremity.is located adjacent to the foramen magnum.is inferior to the cauda equina

is a tapered, cone like region immediately inferior to the lumbar enlargement.

The correct option is: “B. is a tapered, cone-like region immediately inferior to the lumbar enlargement.”

The conus medullaris is the lower end of the spinal cord, located in the lumbar region between vertebral levels L1 and L2. It has a tapered, cone-like shape, and its location immediately follows the lumbar enlargement. The lumbar enlargement is a bulge in the spinal cord that corresponds to the nerves that control the lower extremities.

The conus medullaris anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx by a thin strand of connective tissue called the filum terminale, which extends from the conus medullaris to the coccyx. This structure helps to stabilize the spinal cord and prevent it from moving excessively.

The exit of nerves to the upper extremity is not related to the conus medullaris, as these nerves arise from the cervical region of the spinal cord. The foramen magnum is a large opening at the base of the skull where the spinal cord enters the cranial cavity. The cauda equina refers to the collection of nerve roots that arise from the spinal cord below the conus medullaris, which collectively resemble a “horse’s tail” (hence the name).

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